For those fed up with fast-food culture and the hectic pace of American life, it's natural to look across the ocean and feel envious. It seems that the French, with their pursuit of pleasure, long summer vacations and great cuisine, have it better. And then there are those stylish French women through the ages – women like fashion designer Coco Chanel and actresses Catherine Deneuve and Brigitte Bardot – who have become international icons, thanks to the cool confidence they radiate.

Shrimp has become no-fuss convenience food. Most of the work has been done, and shrimp is ready to rumble. It's available peeled and deveined, raw or cooked, and can be found in supermarkets and warehouse stores (either flash frozen in thick plastic bags or thawed and sold at the fish counter).